While gum disease is often due to things like poor oral hygiene, or at least made worse by it, some people seem to have a genetic predisposition to developing gum disease. If you've been fighting gum disease for years despite your best efforts to maintain your oral health, you might be one of them. Now, if you have a child, you might be concerned about the health of their gums. It is possible for you to pass along your genetics to your child, after all. In that case, here's what you can do to help protect your child's gums.
Frequent Dental Visits
The first step is making sure that your child sees a dentist as often as recommended. This is usually only twice a year, but your dentist may up the amount once they understand what the concern is. Follow their directions explicitly. Coming to the dentist on a regular basis will not only help them to catch gum disease before it progresses but can also help to keep it from happening in the first place by clearing away dangerous tartar and bacteria that can trigger it.
Water Flossing
Most children don't have the coordination or the willingness to floss, but that doesn't mean that you can't help their oral health at home. One easy way to do this is to introduce a water flosser to your child's oral hygiene routine.
Water flossers are often marketed to children because they're effective and kids often like using them. A strong blast of water can be utilized to get debris and plaque out from between teeth, which can help to reverse early-stage gum disease and keep it at bay. If your child isn't performing anything other than brushing their teeth at home, it's time to up your game and to take on gum disease the best way you can at home.
Mouthwash
In addition to water flossing and seeing a dentist more often, you can also incorporate mouthwash into your child's routine. Keep in mind that you should follow your dentist's directions and the product's directions — if your child is too young, they could be at risk of swallowing the mouthwash.
Providing that your child is old enough for mouthwash, you should choose one that's pain-free. Look for a variety that specifically markets itself as being painless but anti-bacterial. There are some mouthwash products on the market that are fortified with fluoride and intended for children, but they're not antibacterial and will only help your child's teeth, not their gums.
For more information, reach out to a family dentist in your area.
If you are tired of coming down with dental problems, the problem might not be your toothpaste. Instead, it could be your habits tied to your dental care. Aggressive brushers, people who have a tendency to forget, and even people who are flossing improperly could be left with serious dental issues, which is why it really pays to focus on mastering the small things. From moving forward with a better brushing routine to doing what you can to identify and resolve ongoing decay, making your dental health a priority is instrumental in preventing pain and added budgetary strains. Check out this blog to find out more.